Wednesday, December 28, 2011

As those of you that have been around here for a while know, I used to work at Borders. And closing our doors was one of the saddest things I've ever experienced. Fortunately my coworkers and I found a way to keep in touch - we started a book club. We meet once a month and it's like a mini reunion every time ... and sometimes we even talk about the book ;)

Well, at our December meeting we decided that it would be the best thing ever to start a group blog! So we did. So if you're looking for a book suggestion or want to join us on our book club reading or just want to see what we're reading or thinking, we would love it if you'd pop on by and check us out. Maybe even comment or follow us. Or spread the word.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Okay. So last night I had a dream that my school gave me a ticket for having too many "identifiable items" in my car. Like a map opened to my home town. The ticket was for $2400. I tried to argue with them, but they were adamant that I had to pay. I have no idea what this means. Except I think my semester from youknowwhere finally caught up with me.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Holy smokes! Can it really have been so long since I posted? I really shouldn't even be on here now since I have a paper to write (the last one of the semester!) but...

I have been very very sad about my Borders being closed, particularly now when I think about all the fun, craziness, angst, etc. that would be going on if we were open. It was making me all teary eyed today thinking about not spending these weeks with my Borders family. Then my manager posted on Facebook about a poem I wrote, apparently 3 years ago today, when the mall got evacuated (for no real reason as it turned out) and as we waited for hours, huddled in cars, trying to stay warm but not asphyxiate, we began composing our own version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" which I then later finished and printed up and passed around at work.

I don't THINK I've posted it here, but even if I did, I had way too much fun with it not to repost:

'Twas the Week Before ChristmasorEvacuation: Holidays at the Galleria

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the mallDeadly gas was a-creeping unnoticed by all.The shoppers were shopping caught up in their caresFor in only one week Christmas day would be there.Their children were hustled first up and then downUnaware of the danger gathering round.The cashiers were ringing, the booksellers selling,Each customer wanting a book most compellingWhen out in the mall there arose such a clatterLarry called from upstairs to see what was the matter.

Away to the phone Danielle flew with a squeakBut there was no security with whom we could speak.Our emergency box went from yellow to red."Evacuate the store" was all that it said.With a breath and calm voice Danielle gave the report,"The mall has announced we must all leave the store."Customers were waiting with books in their handsAnd the call to get out only heightened their demands.Much slower than inchworms the customers movedAnd making them leave very difficult proved."I just need the bathroom." "Can I buy this book?""How 'bout some coffee?" "My bag someone took."From the back of the store to the front they delayed."We have to get out! Leave the store! Go Away!"

Like obstinate children the customers balkedAs we nudged and we prodded and forced them to walk.So out of the building we went to the coldAnd gathered at lightpost D6 like we're told.And then on the schedule that Jessica broughtShe counted to see we were all in the lot.As we noticed that Larry was not to be foundThrough the cars, cross the lot Larry came with a bound.And then we called Kevin to tell him the news."Are you joking?" he said. "Oh, what money we'll lose.""Will they let us back in?" Charles wanted to know."I don't have my keys. I have no where to go."We gathered in cars all lined up in a rowAnd turned up the heat as we warmed all our toes.

We turned on the walkies to talk in betweenBut then someone decided that "Rudolph" they'd sing.(Inspired, no doubt, by the antlers and noseOn Melanie's car - at least, so I suppose)We had a long wait, Danielle wanted to leave."My shift ended at seven, it's ten past I believe."Brian's car was all fogged since the windows were closedAnd we laughed and we warned against starting to doze."Oh, but carbon monoxide's a good way to die.""Then we won't have to pay you," said Bill and said I."My managers are mean," Brian cried to the crew."You're just figuring that out? Oh, that's right, you are new."

"T-Mobile says we will be closed for the night."Wayne delivered the news, but T-Mobile wasn't right.We sprang to the mall as they opened the doors."If you work here, then you may return to your stores."So with all the debris left from customer's flightMerry Christmas to all, we've reopened tonight.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

About day 24 I was seriously starting to wonder if I would make the deadline. I got more and more behind and school got busier and busier. But then, on day 26 as I posted, I did some word wars and challenges that gave me a 4,000 word day. I followed that up with a 2,000 word day, which gave me a lot of incentive to finish. How lame to come so close and not cross the finish line. I am by no means disparaging anyone who did not finish by any margin. I am talking about my own peptalk to my own self. Yes, I do embarrass myself into doing things. All the time. Hey, it works, right!?

Anyways, by the time I sat down to write yesterday I only needed 1,200 words to finish it. I exported my Scrivener document to Word to double check my word count. As I scrolled down to the end of the document so I could smash out my last words I stumbled across a conversation I had forgotten about. It's one of the many info dumps that occurred in this novel so I could work through my world building while still adding onto my word count. So I know that it won't end up in the next draft in its entirety, but as I passed it I had to stop and reread it. As I did I got all giddy and happy. It reignited my love for this world and these characters and reminded me what is at stake.

Taking that enthusiasm I jumped down to where I had left off and zipped through my last scene. Is it good? No, not really. The ending is way too preachy and sappy. But is this draft basically done? YES! Do I have a world that has come together and developed in ways I never anticipated? Absolutely. Do I have a main character that has grown throughout the progression of the novel? Shockingly, YES! Do I have great secondary characters that I'm dying to develop further in my next draft? Oh my goodness yes. Devvon, I will discover your secrets. And Virra? Let's just say the little twist in your character surprised me.

This is only my 3rd NaNo year and it's my 2nd win, but it is definitely my most satisfying experience. I felt like I was better prepared going in, that I have a better and more cohesive (though all over the place and completely convoluted) rough draft than any rough draft I've ever written. There is a TON of stuff that needs to be fixed and rearranged and taken out and added in and I am giddy over the prospect of all the plotting and outlining and rewriting I get to do now (As soon as I write these 2 massive research papers).

I understand that NaNo doesn't work for everybody, but it has always been a fantastic experience for me and, whether I end up with a few random scenes, a random idea for a story that doesn't end up going anywhere, or a workable rough draft, the point is that I wrote. That I made time in my schedule to get my thoughts down on paper. That I created a world that didn't exist before. Made friends with other WriMos. These are the things that make NaNo worth it and I most highly recommend it to anyone who wants a challenge or just wants to try something new. It's the experience, not the "perfect product" that matters.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now and celebrate my win by allowing myself to watch a couple episodes of Friends. And by leaving you with a cute kitty.

You just THINK you know me...

I've recently finished my Masters in Library and Information Science and am starting my first "real" job as an instructional librarian at a lovely college. I spend my free time reading at all hours of the day, catching up on my favorite tv shows, and scribbling away when I'm in the mood. I'm a quirky kind of girl just trying to get through life with the help of my amazing Savior. I love movies, music, TV, books, Joss Whedon, my family, LOLCats, writing, hanging out with my sis, eating chicken, cheese and chocolate (though not all at the same time), and staying up way too late.